The numerical ranking of the types is not significant. Unlike the labels used in psychiatry, numbers provide an unbiased, shorthand way of indicating a lot about a person without being pejorative. The Enneagram uses numbers to designate each of the types because numbers are value neutral- they imply the whole range of attitudes and behaviors of each type without specifying anything either positive or negative. Not everything in the description of your basic type will apply to you all the time because you fluctuate constantly among the healthy, average, and unhealthy traits that make up your personality type. The descriptions of the personality types are universal and apply equally to males and females, since no type is inherently masculine or feminine. People do not change from one basic personality type to another.

Several more points can be made about the basic type itself. There is a discussion of the overall theory in Understanding The Enneagram , 67-70). (For more about the developmental patterns of each personality type, see the related section in the type descriptions in Personality Types and in The Wisdom of the Enneagram. Thus, the overall orientation of our personality reflects the totality of all childhood factors (including genetics) that influenced its development. Although their identity is still very fluid, at this age children begin to establish themselves and find ways of fitting into the world on their own. In any case, by the time children are four or five years old, their consciousness has developed sufficiently to have a separate sense of self. It also seems to lead to certain unconscious orientations toward our parental figures, but why this is so, we still do not know. Subsequently, this inborn orientation largely determines the ways in which we learn to adapt to our early childhood environment. This is one area where most all of the major Enneagram authors agree- we are born with a dominant type. This is your basic personality type.Įveryone emerges from childhood with one of the nine types dominating their personality, with inborn temperament and other pre-natal factors being the main determinants of our type. It is common to find a little of yourself in all nine of the types, although one of them should stand out as being closest to yourself. The meaning of these inner lines will be discussed shortly.įrom one point of view, the Enneagram can be seen as a set of nine distinct personality types, with each number on the Enneagram denoting one type. These six points form an irregular hexagram. The remaining six points are connected in the following order: One connects with Four, Four with Two, Two with Eight, Eight with Five, Five with Seven, and Seven with One. Note that points Three, Six, and Nine form an equilateral triangle. The nine points on the circumference are also connected with each other by the inner lines of the Enneagram.

Each point represents one of the nine basic personality types. Designate each point by a number from one to nine, with nine at the top, for symmetry and by convention. It will help you understand the Enneagram if you sketch it yourself.ĭraw a circle and mark nine equidistant points on its circumference. The Enneagram’s structure may look complicated, although it is actually simple. Index of Subjectsĭirections of Integration (Growth) and Disintegration (Stress)

For additional guidelines, consult Personality Types , 27-55, and for further clarifications Understanding the Enneagram, 11-30. The Enneagram, however, is ultimately subtle and complex, as you will appreciate the more you use it in your life. As you will see, only a few simple concepts are needed to begin your journey of self-discovery. This explanation covers the basics that you will need to understand how the Enneagram works, and will be especially helpful for beginners.

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